The Power of a Voice to Create Lasting Memories
A Voice That Echoed Through the Mountains
When I was a little boy, there was something magical about summer evenings in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While the sun slowly dipped behind the hills, I'd head out into our backyard, gripping my well-worn baseball glove and a rubber baseball that had seen better days.
The backyard wasn’t just a backyard. To me, it was Riverfront Stadium. The brick wall of our two-story home became my opponent, my teammate, and my crowd—all in one. I’d throw that baseball against the wall for hours, imagining every rebound as the start of another unforgettable play.
In those moments, I wasn’t just a kid in Virginia. I was a member of the Big Red Machine.
A Voice That Made It All Real
As I played, there was always a voice in the background. One that brought every moment to life. It was Marty Brennaman, calling the game as if he were narrating my imagination. Each catch, each throw, every sliding stop—I heard Marty’s voice celebrating the play, just like he did for the Reds on their way to another World Series Championship.
To me, that voice wasn’t coming from a radio. It was coming from the stands. Marty wasn’t announcing to the masses; he was calling my game. That’s how vivid, how personal his calls were.
Marty Brennaman
Becoming The Big Red Machine
One day, I’d pretend I was Pete Rose—scrappy and relentless. The next, maybe Ken Griffey Sr., smooth and athletic. But most days, I was all of them—Johnny Bench, Dave Concepción, Joe Morgan, George Foster, Tony Pérez, César Gerónimo—with Sparky Anderson managing the game from the dugout in my mind.
Every move was orchestrated. Every catch, every throw, imagined in slow motion with Marty’s voice narrating the play-by-play. I wasn’t just playing baseball. I was living it.
It was more than a game—it was a dreamscape narrated by a Hall of Fame voice.
The Great Eight
The Legacy of a Voice
Even now, decades later, I remain a die-hard Reds fan. Not just because of wins and losses, but because of the way Marty Brennaman's voice echoed across the Blue Ridge Mountains, weaving its way into my life each summer evening.
His voice connected generations. My great-grandfather, perched on his porch in southern West Virginia, would listen religiously. Into his 90s, he could rattle off batting averages, ERAs, and lineup changes like a true fan.
It was that voice—steady and familiar—that built bridges between an old man and a little boy. We didn’t always understand each other, but we both understood the Reds. We understood Marty.
My brother, Joe, and I at my Great Grandfather’s house pumping water!
The Voice Still Echoes
Though I’ve long moved away from those Appalachian hills, Marty’s voice still echoes in my memories. It's there every time I hear the crack of a bat or smell fresh-cut grass. It’s in my conversations with my kids when I talk about what it means to be passionate, loyal, and present.
And now, with Marty’s retirement after 46 years, it's hard to believe he won’t be calling the next play. Thousands of Reds fans will miss him, but more than that, we’ll remember him. Because voices like his don’t just disappear. They linger. They shape us.
My Great Grandfather
Grat Butt
Your Voice Matters, Too
Let me ask you something: How will your voice be remembered?
We each speak into someone’s life every single day. Whether we realize it or not, our words echo in someone’s mind, shaping their perception of themselves and the world around them.
You speak into your spouse’s life, your children’s hearts, your colleagues’ days, and even into strangers’ moments—the cashier at the grocery store, the waitress at your favorite diner, the barista who remembers your order.
But what memory does your voice leave behind?
Ask Yourself:
- Does the memory of your voice bring a smile?
- Does it bring comfort, peace, or encouragement?
- Or does it stir up frustration, criticism, or disappointment?
3 Ways to Use Your Voice for Impact
Here’s the good news—you can choose how your voice is remembered. Every day is a fresh opportunity to use your words to heal, build up, and lead.
1. Encourage
The world is full of people carrying invisible burdens. Some are just barely holding it together. You can make a difference with a single sentence.
Challenge: Offer a word of encouragement to three people today. Let them know you see them and that you believe in them.
2. Challenge
Good leaders push people to reach their potential. Great leaders do it with love and clarity.
Challenge: Identify one person in your life who’s ready for more. Push them—in a loving, intentional way—to take the next step.
3. Engage
In a world of distraction, presence is the rarest gift. Be the person who actually listens.
Challenge: Be fully present with someone today. No phone. No multitasking. Just you, them, and your voice.
Marty's Legacy and Yours
It still blows my mind—46 years of calling games. Of bringing a team to life for generations of fans across the country. Marty’s voice became part of the rhythm of summer. A steady companion on porches, in living rooms, and yes—even in backyards where little boys dreamed big.
He wasn’t just a sportscaster. He was a memory-maker.
And now that he’s retired, we honor the career, the consistency, and the voice that meant so much.
Congratulations, Marty. You will be missed. But never forgotten.
AND THIS ONE BELONGS TO THE REDS………..
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